Creative Arts Therapy

Creative processes include drawing, writing, sculpting, drama, clay, sand, dance and movement. They can be a way to find new pathways to healing, by allowing clients to explore and express feelings that may be hard to put into words.

Creative Arts Therapy is a Form of Psychotherapy.

Creative Art Therapists are mental health professionals who use art, media and the creative process to facilitate the exploration of feelings, improve self-awareness and reduce anxiety for clients.

Registered Creative Arts Therapists are trained in both creative methods and in psychological and Psychotherapeutic methods, They help clients better express themselves and improve their wellbeing.

Does Creative Arts Therapy Help?

A recent report from The World Health Organisation (Health Evidence Network synthesis report 67, 2019) investigated arts-based therapies from over 3000 studies. They found “a major role for the arts in the prevention of ill health, promotion of health and management and treatment of illness across the lifespan.”

The report noted:

Who Can Benefit From Creative Arts Therapy?

Anyone can benefit from Creative Arts Therapy, including those experiencing:

• Disability
• Neurodiversity
• Healing from trauma and abuse
• Family and relationship issues
• Grief and loss
• Struggles with work or school
• Mental health recovery (anxiety, depression)
• Life and identity transitions
• Organisational and community growth and health

What Training do Creative Arts Therapists Have?

In Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Certified and Registered Creative Arts Therapists have a specific Master’s degree in Arts Therapy andover 750 hours of supervised clinical placement. They must undergo regular supervision and update their practice every year with professional development training.

My name is Helene and I’m a Creative Arts Therapist.

Unlike an art class or art lesson Creative Arts Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses activities like visual art, media, music, dance, even our hobbies (lego/gardening) …as a basis for exploring difficult or complex problems which may be of a physical, mental, social or cognitive nature. Actually, it is less about the art itself and more to do this thing, the brain.

Even if you think you are not creative, you’re brain is. You see, Creative Arts play positively stimulates neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to learn and sometimes unlearn things, to re-wire itself and create new habits and pathways…which can help with the processing and regulation of:

• physical activities : like fine movement, balance and coordination;
• it stimulates our cognitive abilities: like problem solving, planning, and memory;
• it helps with managing mood, emotional regulation and social difficulties
• and our mental health including depression, anxiety and fear, trauma, even grief and loss.

Creative Arts Therapy embraces neurodiversity, physical diversity, cultural diversity and…all diverse diversity.

It complements other therapies or medical interventions and plays a major role “in the prevention of ill health, promotion of health and [well being], and management and treatment of illness across [one’s] lifespan”.

Please contact us on 1300 469 734 or email info@myrehabteam.com.au for more information on Creative Arts Therapy.

Where Can I Find a Creative Arts Therapist?

Use the Find a Therapist function on our website www.anzacata.org to locate a therapist in your local area.

ANZACATA is the voice of all registered Creative. Arts Therapists in Australia, New Zealand and Asia, We register professional Creative Arts Therapists, approve training courses and support members to maintain the highest standards of professional care.

The Australian, New Zealand And Asian Creative Artist Therapies Association
PO Box 2391. North Brighton, VIC 3186, Australia
e. administration@anzacata.org
www.anzacata.org

Acknowledgement: Content on this page includes information used directly from www.anzacata.org. 

My Rehab Team is a registered NDIS provider. We assist clients with their NDIS application process by providing the evidence required.